Igbo United Professionals (IUP) has warned that the actions of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is capable of blocking the chances of women to be supported, recommended or elected into positions of authority.

The group made the statement in a press release signed by its President, Chief Emmanuel Ikechukwu-Jonathan and issued to newsmen in Enugu.

The IUP said that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is trying to institute a precedent of weaponizing the female gender against their men counterparts.

According to the statement, “Natasha’s action of going about lying, that she was suspended because she alleged that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, sexually harassed her, is capable of undermining the full actualization of the 35 percent affirmative action that has started gaining attention.

“Her petition for sexual harassment was rightfully discountenanced because it failed to meet the clear and established procedural requirements for submitting petitions to the Senate.

“The rules of the Senate apply to all members without exception and no petition-regardless of its subject-can be considered if it does not follow due process.

“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is not only chasing shadows, but destroying the commendable efforts of female leaders working tirelessly to build public trust on the side of women, to place them as dependable partners.”

The IUP reminded Nigerians and the international community that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six months suspension was because of her flagrant violation of the rules of the Senate due to the reallocation of her seat by the leadership of the Senate.

The group said, “We have facts of the reasons for her suspension. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent acts of misconduct, blatant disregard for the provisions of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and gross indiscipline- nothing more, nothing less.

“The suspension was decision of the Committee of the whole Senate, following the submission of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges. The report found her guilty of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Rules and recommended her immediate suspension.

“The disciplinary action was a response to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s repeated violations of legislative decorum, including:

“Refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on 25th February 2025, despite multiple pleas from the Minority Leader and other ranking Senators-an act of open defiance and disorderly conduct.

“Speaking without being recognized by the presiding officer, in clear violation of parliamentary practices and procedures on 25th February 2025.

“Engaging in unruly and disruptive behavior, obstructing the orderly conduct of Senate proceedings.

“Making abusive and disrespectful remarks against the leadership of the Senate.

“Defying and refusing to comply with the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges mandated to investigate cases of misconduct,”

The IUP said that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions no doubt, represented a direct challenge to the Authority of the Senate, and a violation of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended), that govern the business of the Senate and the conduct of its members.

IUP added that the disciplinary measure was, therefore, necessary and justified to restore order and uphold the integrity of the Senate as the country’s foremost democratic institution.

The IUP maintained that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan should do well to provide evidences of her sexual harassment by the Senate President, if there’s any, and prove before the court of Law, instead of going about blackmailing the sanctity of Nigeria’s Senate.

The group urged women leaders and bodies to rise up and condemn actions capable of placing women in contrast position with their male counterparts, adding that such would build distrust and fear of supporting women to occupy sensitive positions.

While noting that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan seemed not to be acquainted with the Senate rules and regulations, the IUP urged her to do well to study the Senate rules during her six-month suspension and equally subject herself to trainings on better ways of handling and managing leadership positions.

Some are arguing that Governor Soludo shouldn’t have any business with how people decide to observe their religion… That nobody is a kid.

Let me Take you back to History, A Young President Buhari woke up one morning in 1984 and felt like Nigerians are too undisciplined and decided to discipline everybody, if you think I’m lying, ask your parents.

That year, Almost everything you want to do in public places, you must stand in a queue. If People want to enter a bus ,oya attention!.. your hands on your neighbours’ shoulders, if plenty of people want to buy something from a particular Shop,Oya !.. In a straight line!..
Markets,bus stops and public places were not Rowdy, Everybody’s senses returned from their holidays.

Don’t you think we may be needing such exercises in Today’s main markets.?

If you feel like you are too stubborn to obey, Trust the military government na. Your body go tell you .

So Fear Government. Government is the God we see, some even argue that GOD simply means Government of the day.
The government is so powerful that they can wake up one morning and make a declaration that every man should be having gtiufjiidegjkgf once every week,…imana church Agbasago!!

Have you forgotten how Tinubu woke up one day and asked everyone to go and learn our old national anthem.. some people thought it was a joke.

That is why the Christian Holy book Prescribes you pray for those in authority so that they will not wake up one morning and declare that your family compound is now a motor park, you will think it’s a joke until you go there the next day and conductors are there shouting “Agulu!!.. Nanka!! .. Ekwulobia!!

Written by Admin Nkwelle.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is making strides toward launching a unified regional currency by 2027.

Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from across West Africa gather in Abuja for the 11th ECOWAS Convergence Council meeting, focusing on strategies to accelerate the implementation of the Eco currency.

The high-level meeting highlights the need for greater economic integration and financial stability in the region. Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance, confirms the discussions in an official statement.

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who presides over the session, stresses the importance of fiscal and monetary discipline in achieving the Eco currency.